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SUPPLYING GUNS TO CITIZENS
Supplying guns to citizens will not help the crisis. The Janjaweed are too
powerful and the Darfurians are simply too weak, and here’s the proof.
Just 4 years ago, the population of
Darfur
was 6.5 million people. Now subtract 200,000-400,000 people (murdered) and
2,500,000 more people (displaced refugees). You get somewhere in the range
of 3.5 to 4 million people left in
Darfur.
In addition, hundreds, if not thousands of villages have been completely
destroyed, and there is a shortage of water and food.
The Janjaweed consist of about 20,000 men and thousands of horses. They
are supported by the government and have plenty of supplies and food to
sustain their strength. Right now, the united strength of the Janjaweed
far exceeds that of the scattered, landless, and water-deprived people of
Darfur. If you doubt that, then realize that Sudan also has a military
that consists of 60,000 healthy, armed and trained professional soldiers.
If the Darfurians were to acquire guns and attempt to kill the Janjaweed,
there is no doubt that Sudan would use its national military to a greater
degree (it has already begun using it for the genocide).
Even more important, though, is the fact that guns have actually created
conflict between Darfurians prior to the genocide. Professor David Hoile,
from the European-Sudanese Public Affairs Council states that “Darfur is
an ecologically fragile area and had already seen growing–and often
armed–conflict over natural resources between some 80 tribes and clans
loosely divided between nomadic and sedentary communities.” Currently,
Darfurians are struggling to survive as resources have become even
scarcer. Considering that gun conflict between Darfurians has occurred
consistently in the past, what will stop them from using these guns that
we provide them with to fight again over natural resources? We cannot be
sure that guns will only be used in the ways which we intend.
HOW CAN WE ACTUALLY MAKE A CHANGE?
1. CREATE DEMOCRACY
Many argue that it would be impossible to create political stability
through democracy because of the deeply rooted ethnic issues in Sudan.
True, there are deeply rooted ethnic issues, but they are not untreatable.
In fact, it is crucial that we maintain strong pressure and regulation to
foster a successful democratic process. It is difficult to do, and it will
take time, but it is achievable.
Take Liberia, for instance, as a recent example of a similar situation to
Darfur. This country also had deeply rooted ethnic issues. So deep, in
fact, that military coups and civil war have plagued the country for
decades. These incidents were a result of political and ethnic
discrimination; leaders of the government appointed only those from their
ethnic group, creating extreme tension and controversy. Similarly, Darfur
and the South of Sudan have been discriminated against as a result of
their ethnic and regional ties. This has prevented certain groups,
including Darfur,
from becoming influential in government.
In Liberia, these ethno-political issues caused two civil wars. The second
took place in 1999 between several rebel groups, which is also similar to
Darfur. Although it was not considered to be a civil war, rebel groups in
Darfur attempted to overthrow the Sudanese government.
This civil war in Liberia
spurred international attention. As a result, the Comprehensive Peace
Agreement (CPA) was formed to solve the issue. In addition, the United
Nations sent 15,000 peacekeeping forces into the war-torn country. Similar
initiatives can be seen in Darfur; a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)
has been initiated, and UN Peacekeepers have been deployed. Although there
were some initial issues with the peacekeeping force in Liberia, it was
ultimately successful in fostering democratic development.
Now, Liberia is on a positive track. They are moving quickly towards
economic, political, and social success. The government is democratic and
active in promoting acceptance for the different ethnicities. There are
still issues, but the degree to which they exist and affect the country is
much less than just 9 years ago.
The moral of the story is that political change can occur. Even with
deeply rooted ethnic issues, a political process that creates success for
the nation as a whole can prevail. The situation in Darfur parallels that
of Liberia just 9 years ago in many respects. Although the Liberian Civil
Wars began with gun fighting, it was not truly ended that way. UN
Peacekeepers (yes the UN), peace agreements, and international
attention/pressure created the base for long-term national stability. The
situation in Darfur began with gunfights between rebel groups as well, and
we can end it in similar, peaceful ways to Liberia.
Guns do not create democracy. A 100 percent violent solution does not
create democracy. Sure, our own country gained its independence through
warfare, but there was a political side to creating our democracy as well.
Our Founding Fathers dedicated their daily lives to promoting democracy
and creating a functioning political system. They used legislation to
reach their goals. Surely in Darfur we must have guns (in the right
hands). But, more importantly, we must have a political process.
2. FUND THE ACTIVIST EFFORTS
Many allege that money donated to Darfur either goes to the corrupt
Sudanese government or to help the lives of refugees “until they get
killed, and whatever you bought them gets used by the Janjaweed.”
Actually, the money which has been fundraised and donated by Americans and
the international community does not go the corrupt Sudanese government.
All of the funds which have been donated for the “Darfur cause” go to
organizations which directly supply the refugee camps in Chad and Sudan
with the necessary materials/equipment. This includes but is not limited
to food, medical supplies, and clothing. In addition, money goes towards
funding political efforts, such as the successful divestment campaign
which I will discuss later.
Let me give an example of how our money helps. In refugee camps in Chad
and Darfur, people initially had to leave the borders of the camp to
search for firewood for meals. Leaving the camp’s borders puts one at
great risk of being attacked by the Janjaweed. For the men, an encounter
with one of these horsemen meant death. Women, however, were only raped.
For this reason, the women were the ones who ventured into unknown
territories to collect the necessary materials. Obviously, this is a
terrifying human rights issue. As a result, an organization was created
called “Darfur Stoves” to provide these refugees with fuel efficient
stoves. Now, thousands of women don’t have to risk being raped in order to
survive. You might say that this is still useless because it does not
solve the actual problems in Darfur. But, since our goal is to save lives,
this is one of the ways to do so.
3. GIVE IT TIME
Many seem to have lost hope in the cause. The continuance of the genocide
has made some impatient, which may be why they suggest such a drastic (and
untenable) solution. Some say that the “things take time” philosophy is
faulty because nothing in Darfur has been accomplished. Actually, in the
four years since the genocide’s start, activism has accomplished numerous
objectives. First, the entire world is aware of the shameful acts
committed by the Sudanese government. That awareness in and of itself is
useless, but it has spurred international and multilateral actions, such
as the divestment campaign and the UN Peacekeeper deployment. Because of
the divestment campaign, companies from around the world have pulled their
investments from businesses that fund the genocide. The effect that these
actions have had on PetroChina and other similar companies which fund the
genocide have forced countries to get involved. As I said before, China is
now pressuring Sudan to end the genocide and allow more peacekeeping
troops. While China and the Sudanese government must still do more, these
are leaps in the right direction.
4. TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION
Editor’s
note: None of these organizations are endorsed by TSO or affiliated
with our site, and are the writer’s suggestions for action.
1.Call
1-800-GENOCIDE – They will connect you with your congressman or with the
White House and instruct you on what to say regarding political action for
Darfur.
2.
Visit this website to request that transport equipment is supplied for
the UN Peacekeeping force.
3. Start a STAND Chapter at your school: Visit
Standnow.org
4. Donate to the Save Darfur Coalition at
Savedarfur.org
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Special Report: The Crisis in Darfur was written by
Ethan Barhydt using information from a variety of sources on the conflict.